Us@250: The Many Stories of One Nation

On July 4, 2026, when the nation turns 250 years old, there will certainly be lots of cookouts and fireworks. But the semiquincentennial is an opportunity to do more than just celebrate: It’s a time to express pride in the nation’s progress, reckon with the ways and reasons it has fallen short of its founding ideals, and aspire to an inclusive nation with a resilient and efficient democracy. We must use this milestone as a national moment for reflecting on who we have been and envisioning who we can become.

At New America, we created the Us@250 Fellowship to showcase the efforts of people across the country who are working to create stronger, more inclusive communities. The fellowship provides resources and a professional network to leaders and artists to hold public-facing events that bring people together across differences to consider a shared future. Our inaugural class of 17 fellows bring the mission of New America and the values of Us@250 — pride, reckoning, and aspiration — to life. We hope this cohort will inspire even more people to take up similar efforts in their communities and inspire people to leverage this landmark anniversary in meaningful ways.

A poem written about a century ago begins, “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day / I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.” The Us@250 Fellowship supports people who “walk with” their own communities, live their values, and seek to model what a thriving multiracial nation could be. Though the semiquincentennial remains a few years away, the work to ensure a stronger country is already underway. We look forward to building a new America together.

View all of our fellows here.

Follow The Thread! Subscribe to The Thread monthly newsletter to get the latest in policy, equity, and culture in your inbox the first Tuesday of each month.